Räumlich differenzierte Entwicklungs- und Förderstrategien für Nordostdeutschland

The differences in prosperity between East and West Germany are still considerable. Increasing competition between the regions subject to globalization conditions and demographical changes provide for sufficient impetus to scrutinize the former principles of the subsidies policy, in particular in northeast Germany. It is investigated, if the principle of equivalency can be dismissed, if subsidy strategies have to be differentiated according to area types, if and how strengths have to be supported, if endogenous potentials offered by networks and clusters can be promoted and which kind of impact soft location factors, human capital and the time factor will have in this regard. Last but not least, cross-departmental activities and consistent enforcement of the subsidiarity principle are demanded. Pro-active measures, the concentration on sponsoring industry focal points and less centers, interlocking central top-down and decentralized bottom-up control procedures focusing on network formation on meso-level are stated as the key to success.